The opposition has been on environmental, heritage and health grounds. The government and Red Electrica's preferred option for the cable to enter is the Bay of Pollensa. When it was revealed that the small beach of S'Illot was the proposed entry point, there was a storm of protest. Alternative points on the bay have met with similar rejection.
An association of residents against the cable - VAAC - has been lobbying for the cable to enter via the Bay of Alcudia instead. But the entry point has been far from the only concern. There is then the land route to take the cable to the substation by the Es Murterar power station. The opposition on health grounds is because of the potential proximity of the cable to residences and the risks posed by the electromagnetic field.
While some objectors don't want the cable at all, there seems little chance that Alcudia won't be the chosen municipality. Alcudia is on the other side of the island to where the first cable entered - Santa Ponsa - and Red Electrica wants the second cable to be distant from the first for security reasons. There is also the fact that a substation for high-tension supply already exists in Alcudia.
On Thursday, VAAC representatives held a meeting with Alcudia's mayor, Fina Linares, and two officials from the Balearic government - Ana Torrens, the director-general for the natural environment, and Maria Paz Andrade of the urban coordination directorate. The aim was to initiate the process to try and find a consensus as to the route.
Linares said that more information has been asked for. "We want to know what studies have been carried out to date and to then be able to assess options that are the least harmful. With all this information, the three parties - government, town hall and residents - will work together to propose a viable route."
Sebastià Pujol of VAAC added that they were grateful for the government's "total willingness" to find solutions.
Parties at the town hall, governing and in opposition, are united in their concerns about the cable. The previous administration lodged an appeal with the Supreme Court in Madrid against the Spanish government's proposals. This failed as the court ruled that there was not a definitive route.
Although there are many residents who believe that there is a definitive route, the mayor pointed out that an environmental impact report has yet to be requested. "That will be when we know the exact route."
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This particular area of North East Mallorca needs to be protected from the high voltage electrical cable. The underwater environment is precious especially the way the planet is heading - listen to COP 28, the residents´ health precious too, the geography is one of incredible natural beauty and as many in the VAAC group have argued the cable can be brought in a different way to an existing electrical substation, thereby not destroying the precious Posidonia in the water, not destroying the land where it is to be brought in creating new infrastructure, not destroying the look of residential areas, not to destroy the health of those who live near the cable or the health of tourists and keep the beauty of the area for both Mallorcans and visitors. Why is it always so important to be destructive? Instead of being sensible? Protest groups have to be formed because of decisions which are completely unnecessary. Those in power, listen to those on the ground. Thank you.
Really - so one moronic reader thinks that the multi million pound Red electricity company should destroy Mallorcan heritage and the natural beauty of the landscape??? Protesters aren’t saying no cable. They are saying ‘no’ to destroying the precious natural beauty of the Victoria area, ‘no’ to destroying valuable posidonia in the bay and ‘no’ to destroying the health of local families. And that’s a bad thing? Let’s be clever guys. Let’s find a better route. I despair :(
Huge thanks to Andrew for covering this story. Alcúdia residents are totally up in arms about this proposal. The site of proposed entry near Victoria is also a site of environmental natural beauty. This area is extremely rare in Mallorca, it’s precious and should be protected by everyone for future generations of local people and visitors. The route proposed would take the cable within 2 to 3 metres from homes. Spanish guidance suggests a cable of this intensity should be at least 200 plus metres from people’s homes. The health implications are clear. This when other safer routes are available, via existing local infastructure near the port and old electric plant site. It’s time to fight for MALLORCA’S future - for the environment, for the marine ecology, for our children. What price cheap electric? This would literally cost the earth :(
No one is objecting to the need, the proposed route though is ludicrously damaging on its land trajectory to the substation, whereas taking it around to the bay of Alcudia and directly to where the substation is, is clearly the best option. Why this is a problem, one can only guess but I suspect the hands of jobsworths and incompetents must be at work.
More torists, more electricity required.